They Might Be Giants | Rotten Tomatoes

They Might Be Giants

G

Released Jun 9, 1971

1 hr. 31 min.

Comedy

List

61%

18 Reviews

Tomatometer

74%

1,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

After the death of his wife, wealthy retiree Justin Playfair (George C. Scott) creates a fantasy world for himself in which he is the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, even dressing like the character. Out of concern for Justin's money more than his health, his brother Blevins puts him under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Mildred Watson (Joanne Woodward). As Dr. Watson grows fond of Justin, she begins to play along with his theories, eventually becoming an assistant in his investigations.

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Steve D

Far more depressing than amusing.

Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars

08/01/23

Full Review

jon c

George C. Scott and Joanne Woodard Justin has somewhat lost his sanity after his wife died, so he's taken on the persona of Sherlock Holmes even taking actual detective cases Justin's brother wants to have him committed and take all the finances But Dr. Mildred Watson under his care starts to take an interest in his persona even solving these investigations together But how far can she go along with this delusion? Can Justin ever come back to who he once was? This was pretty average I found Nothing that special even though it looks closely at what insanity actually is opposed to being sick or certifiably unwell

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

lots of plus comments on this, but i was underwhelmed. everybody did a good job, but the story was dull.

Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars

01/27/23

Full Review

Audience Member

quirky and lovable as Holmes battles it out with Moriarty helped by his faithful Watson and an army of helpers.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/20/23

Full Review

matthew d

A cute romantic comedy for lovers of Sherlock Holmes. Anthony Harvey's romantic comedy They Might Be Giants (1971) is a silly comedy full of nonsensical clues to a pointless mystery and I loved it! Harvey parodies Sherlock Holmes down to the format of the mystery, clues, and witnesses, but transforms the standard Sherlock formula into a sweet romance drama. Every shot looks like an old mystery noir with great use of shadows, light, corners, and open spaces. I like how pithy and clever James Goldman's script is with plenty of Holmes references for the astute fan to appreciate. I think the romance is even better with these two unlikely lovers falling for each other despite their peculiarities. George C. Scott is fantastic as a brilliant intellectual Holmes with all the deductive prowess we know and love the character for in classic Holmes stories. The twist here is that Scott is actually playing a man named Justin Playfair, who is delusional as he thinks he acting is Sherlock Holmes. His dry wit and casual insults make for the most delightful remarks. George C. Scott could play any part and be entertaining. He remains one of my favorite actors because of his versatility and that he takes even a quaint role like this one seriously. George C. Scott brings the dreams and delusions to life with an energetic sincerity. Joanna Woodward is simply charming as a psychiatric Dr. Watson, who wishes to cure Scott of his mental affliction. She is cute and likable as a frumpy, lonely doctor with good intentions. I found Woodward absolutely hilarious and genuinely tender in They Might Be Giants. She delivers a dreamy romantic role with lots of subtle looks and reflective feelings. I think she had a nice chemistry with George C. Scott or at least a sweet fondness there. With eccentric scoring, funny writing, and dynamic performances, They Might Be Giants is a pleasant comedy and an affectionate romance movie.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Odd but fun tale. The ending is very much "early 1970s"

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/24/23

Full Review

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Anthony Harvey

Director

George C. Scott

Justin Playfair

Joanne Woodward

Dr. Mildred Watson

Jack Gilford

Wilbur Peabody

Lester Rawlins

Blevins Playfair

Al Lewis

Messenger

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Alexander Walker

London Evening Standard

The acting works more enjoyably than the allegory... Its individual pieces are highly entertaining, however, and Scott is such a good Holmes I hope he'll play the part for real some day.

Oct 24, 2023

Full Review

Derek Malcolm

Guardian

It is at least a friendly and humane film. Nevertheless, I hardly like to judge it in this cut about condition, save to assure Miss Woodward that my own embarrassment was kept well within bounds.

Oct 24, 2023

Full Review

Stefan Kanfer

TIME Magazine

The pretense cannot mask the film's pusillanimous ideas.

Feb 8, 2018

Full Review

Michael Billington

Birmingham Post

The film has been rather brutally cut by Universal so that some of it doesn't even make sense. But I can't believe it would ever have been anything more than a piece of precious whimsy.

Oct 25, 2023

Full Review

Arthur Thirkell

Daily Mirror (UK)

The plot, in gathering too many nuts into the maze, eventually gets lost in a welter of symbolism.

Oct 24, 2023

Full Review

George Melly

Observer (UK)

George Scott and Joanne Woodward are excellent as the Baker Street duo and there are many genuinely funny moments but, alas, the symbolism and the attendant whimsy get them in the end.

Oct 24, 2023

Full Review

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Synopsis

After the death of his wife, wealthy retiree Justin Playfair (George C. Scott) creates a fantasy world for himself in which he is the legendary detective Sherlock Holmes, even dressing like the character. Out of concern for Justin's money more than his health, his brother Blevins puts him under the care of psychiatrist Dr. Mildred Watson (Joanne Woodward). As Dr. Watson grows fond of Justin, she begins to play along with his theories, eventually becoming an assistant in his investigations.

Director: Anthony Harvey
Screenwriter: James Goldman
Distributor: Universal Pictures
Production Co: Universal Pictures, Newman-Foreman Company
Rating: G
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Jun 9, 1971, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Jun 15, 2016

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